Local churches, leaders rally to end violence in Flint with Prayer Chain Day

View full sizeDorothy Edwards | The Flint JournalDr. Alfreda Riley of Mt. Morris sings praise songs at Flint City Hall during the Prayer Chain Day rally to end violence in Flint on Saturday. The day started with a rally at City Hall then groups stood at Saginaw street corners to pray and spread awareness.

FLINT, Michigan — Local leaders and area churches rallied in front of Flint City Hall today to pray against violence and social ills in the city.

After the rally, participating church groups gathered at street corners along Saginaw Street, from Bristol Road to Coldwater Road to pray and talk with people. They are expected to be out until about 4 p.m. today.

Geneva Spears, Prayer Chain Day founder and director, said uniting the churches is key to squash the city’s violence. There were about 100 churches participating in today’s event, she said.

More than 150 people attended the rally.

“Violence is running rampant in our city. We need to come outside of the walls and get out here and talk to the people, because we believe a person heard is changed,” Spears said.